Record ID: LVPL-27ACA4 - POST MEDIEVAL finger ring

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FINGER RING

Unique ID: LVPL-27ACA4

Object type certainty: Certain

A resized image of Post Medieval: Signet finger ring

A complete cast copper alloy finger ring, of probable Early Post Medieval dating (16th to 17th Centuries AD).

The finger ring is of the signet ring style, with a shield shaped bezel. The shoulders are plain and expand slightly out from the width of the hoop. The hoop has a flanged cross section (a prominent ridge running around the centre of the hoop).

The device on the shield shaped bezel is hard to determine, it may be more pseudoheraldic in nature than actually heraldic, as it does not appear to conform to standard heraldic traits. The device consists of a central open cross or possibly a stylized sword / dagger. Placed in the voids between each arm of the cross, are a couple of raised semi-circles. A raised border is present around the edge of the shield device.

The finger ring is mostly a dark green colour, with an even surface patina. Patches of a white surface coating, with a scale like texture are present both the internal surface and on sections of the hoop. Exact cause of this coating is uncertain but is likely to be post depositional in nature.

The finger ring has an external diameter of 24.16mm, an internal diameter of 16.90mm. The hoop is 4.54mm wide and 3.68mm thick. The bezel measures 10.55mm long and 10.28mm wide. It weighs 5.4 grams.

The original signet rings were developed back during 13th Century, as a convienent way of carrying around your heraldic seal matrix (form of identity / signature), and continued in use until at least 17th Century AD. However the style did not completely go out of fashion, and pseudoheraldic devices on finger rings can be found from the 18th Century up until the modern period (20th - 21st Centuries AD).

This example, being made from copper alloy and cast, is probably 16th to 17th Centuries in date, but could be of later dating as it has been mentioned that the signet ring style has a very longevity to it.

Class: signet

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Period to: MODERN [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Date from: Circa AD 1500
Date to: Circa AD 1600

Dimensions and weight

Width: 4.54 mm
Weight: 5.4 g
Diameter: 24.16 mm
Quantity: 1

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Manufacture method: Cast [scope notes | view all attributed records]
Completeness: Complete [scope notes | view all attributed records]

Spatial data

Region: North West
County: Merseyside
District: Wirral
Parish: Birkenhead

Restricted 4 Figure grid reference: SJ3290
The map has been degraded and provides an approximate location with a degree of random obfuscation.
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.

Method of discovery: Metal detector [scope notes]

Personal details

Found by: This information is restricted for your login.
Recorded by: Miss Teresa Gilmore - [ view all attributed records]
Identified by: Miss Teresa Gilmore - [view all attributed records]

Other reference numbers

References cited

No references cited so far.

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